Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United.

It is probably fair to say that West Ham are punching well above their weight at the moment, whilst Spurs don't seem to be able to punch their way out of a damp paper bag…

Maybe a little harsh on Spurs, who may well have lost five and won only two of their last nine games, but I wonder if we would all have been so down if we had witnessed a victory at The Emirates last weekend, that looked quite likely until Adebayor's moment of madness that saw us play the majority of the game with ten men after looking so dominant with eleven.

Sure we are yet to see consistency of play or great free flowing or even pressing high tempo football, that we hoped for under AVB, but it is clear to me that however much we look to point the finger at our manager, there are far too many players who are simply not performing to anything like their potential, whilst either due to injuries or simply not having the right players, we are struggling to adapt to a new managers demands and a more tactical system, that the fans were also crying out for not so long ago.

As for West Ham, I get the feeling that Big Sam will never be their ideal type of manager. Too long ball for their supposed artistic tastes, but I very much doubt that any manager could or would have done better in turning round a team that was only going one way and though they may not always be pretty, with the likes of Noble, Nolan and Carroll, they certainly seem to be affective and nailed on for at least a mid table place this season, which considering the quality and depth of their squad if one hell of an achievement.

Again Spurs have the disadvantage of not having recovery or preparation time for a game that they really have to get something from. One or two players do look leggy and with several players either still out or struggling, it is easy to see this game as another banana skin that we could slip and land squarely on our backsides.

If we look at current form and results however, are we as guilty of bigging West Ham up as much as we are putting Tottenham down. After all, West Ham have only won three of their last ten games with wins over bottom placed QPR (A), 2nd bottom Southampton (H) and a Europa fatigued Newcastle, though in the latter case, should that make us more aware of our own tired legs?

Spurs will be without a suspended Adebayor, still injured, Parker, BAE and Kaboul, plus Dembele is still not 100% and remains a doubt. In the case of Dembele, I wonder if Tom Carroll has yet convinced AVB that he is deserving of a start alongside Sandro tomorrow or will we be more cautious and stick with Tommy Huddlestone if Mousa isn't deemed fit enough? Similarly in attack, Jermain Defoe is nailed on to start, but does anyone have the slightest confidence in either Dempsey or Sigurdsson to offer either enough quality or support? Is there a logic if looking elsewhere with someone like Ryan Mason or Iago Falque who have both impressed when called upon and looked outstanding for the U-21s this season. Alternatively, if Dembele is fit, could we push him higher and look to partner either Hudd or Carroll with Sandro in the middle?

Comments

Never mind the confidence in our players. It's the THFC supporters who I don't have belief in. Many Spurs fans would give their left nut to get to WHL to support our club, manager and more importantly the players. A game against an old enemy with unsavory players, manager and a witch on the board should give our mediocre fans a little more spirit.

Can't see any hope for us tomorrow. Our form and results get worse and wet spam will come to WHL with confidence of getting all three points as they have been getting points. We are the fourth ranked team in London now...a year ago we were easily the best

forever i think thats bit of an overreaction. weve hhit a bit of bad form yes but form is temporary. an we havent exactly had a lot of luck recently. i know you cant use that as an excuse but we can still argue about being better than arsenal an hopefully chelsea soon enough. saying this lot are better than us is a bit of a stretch.

any Spurs fan expecting a loss really has no business with such belief and 'support'.... we're at home, have the better players and should dominate the game if the players don't feed off the negativity and pathetic 'support' of the spectators.... we played Citeh, Chelsea and Arsenal in those defeats mentions, so get a grip and grow a pair (even collectively)

My biggest concern is the referee appointment, apparently we are getting Clattenburg in his first game back. All referees like to be in the MOTM category, making headlines and providing points for discussion. None will be more determined to be the star performer than this bloke on his return. After all he is historically no friend of Spurs, ask Pedro Mendes.

Ithink HR will keep QPR up, they have too many good players to go down, Mark Hughes would be a good manar if he was half as good as he thinks he is. He had a decent un at Blackburn, but since then at Man City, Fulham, and now QPR, he just ain't been up to it. Redknapp will get them playing. Having said that rather than worry about them, and making silly comments like "I hope they get relegated" or "I hope Redknapp fails", lets concentrate on where we finish, with our "Windows 8" and "Microsoft Excel" and notebook tactical whiz-kid manager, with his wealth of playing experiance.

82spursdebut, I will never give referees a break, not until a) they stop favourig certain clubs (particularly Man U and Red Nose). And b) they display even a hint of competence. By and large they are hopeless, and ruin far more games than they enhance, they get as many key decisions wrong, as they do right. If Howard Webb is allegedly the best, it only shows you how good the rest are.

82spursdebut, you don't need technology to go to "Specsavers", or trouser a brown envelope. No I could'nt run the pitch for 90 minutes, neither will any of them when they get to my age, but there again nobody ever paid me £500 for 90 minutes work, I always had to earn mine.

not to mention every single team having players that will cheat by diving (Suarez), snide fouling (Suarez) and whinging about every decision not going their way (Suarez)...... if you cheat and cry wolf, dont be surprised when nowt happens when you are fouled/hard done by..

I honestly can't see us winning a game with AVB in charge. I just wonder how long Levy will give it before admitting that he has made a terrible mistake. Having put his head on the block by sacking Harry and appointing him, it may take longer than it should. With confidence low, a tough trip to Italy on Thursday and an in form West Ham, I can only see one result. And before everyone jumps on my back about getting to know his players, injuries etc a good manager should be able to overcome that.

Our problems are all down to having a CM that has gone from one of the top 3 in the league particularly in ball retention to one that is now little more than workmanlike. Demsey & Sig just havnt shown the technical ability to play as a 10, Sandro has plenty of graft but we just havent had that player to knit things together. Theres a huge onus on Dembelle and he will likely be rushed back because he is so important. I hope AVB comes good but all my initial doubts & concerns are proving correct.Parker cant come back soon enough either becasue we need character.

We should still have enough to beat West Ham tomorrow, even with our injury list. I do fear though that Levy will use any uncertainty over AVB as an excuse not to invest in January, aside from that, the £20 million rumoured to be available is not enough to get the players needed to put us back where we were last season. As for tomorrows game, I think West Ham are perfectly set up to get behind our high line with their long ball tactics. Hopefully AVB has a plan to counter this, Lloris is far better coming off his line to deal with this approach, so if Friedel starts I will begin to worry whether AVB is ever going to make it at the Lane. This is also a game for Gallas to miss as every other central defender we have is better in the air and we're going to have to deal with a lot of high balls to Carroll. Every man and his dog know how Alardice will set up, so there will be no excuses if we fail to beat them tomorrow. Man for man we're better, although it's open to debate whether we're better as a team, this one is all down to AVBs ability as a manager. Get it right and it should be a comfortable victory by two clear goals, get it wrong and....... Doesn't bare thinking about really does it? COYS

I see this as a must win game, and anything less than 3 points is unthinkable. We need to start winning games, and fast. So far this season we only have 7 wins from 19 games - that's a 37% win record. And other than the fantastic result at Old Trafford, our wins have come against Maribor, Southampton, Villa, Carlisle, QPR & Reading - all either poor or struggling teams. Tomorrow needs to be the start of the turn around, or come the end of the year we could be comfortable in mid-table mediocrity.

yeah we should still have enough to beat the Spammers?...you'd think that wouldnt yer? trouble is, we should have had enough to beat Norwich and WBA and Wigan..you tell me what has WBA got in its side that is better than Spurs? We have 17 points they have how many? they are 3rd? and we are?........phuck the injuries! every one has injuries......were shiiite...when it comes to the last quarter of a game we cant close a game out.....its down to whose pulling the strings at the end of the day...who is building the confidence in the side..who is giving us that killer instinct.....AVB man up mate ........get the steel back in the side...drop the clip chart..forget formations...get inside the soul of the players and stoke the fire ..the ambition....and yes.....the hatred.....get in their heads and stoke them up.....there is no passion there is not enough committment from all of them ....we are leaderless.....AVB for phuck sake get in the faces of the players and get them on message ......!

oyVeh, we have lost to Wigan and Norwich at home with a more settled team without this season's injuries and Modric. So not quite as unthinkable as you suggest. And I nearly forgot, your mate was in charge. COYS.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/180666.html?CMP=OTC-RSS - ItalianYiddo, this article should stop you having to talk total sense to those that don't "get it" without needing to be spoon-fed warm diarrhea by the press.

I'm hoping Dawson gets a run tomorrow, did well against Carroll last season, Lloris has got to start as has Dembele if fit. I'm just putting this out there but didn't Sigurdson play in a midfield three last year yet we play him behind the striker where he's facing the other way all the time when trying to receive the ball rather than facing play and passing and moving forward. I'm not saying AVB is wrong because he says he's trying to change us slowly as a team but I'd like to see a 4-3-3 of Lloris, walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen, Dembele, Sandro, Sigurdson , Bale, Lennon, Defoe.

Jan like the look of your selection, especially two tall strong CB's to deal with the expected long ball! Has to be said crucial 3 points up for grabs especially with Arse and Everton both drawing today (as they are the main rivals for 4th), perfect opportunity to catch up. Hope Dembs is back to full fitness and the boys who played on Thursday have recovered fully enough.

Agree with above post, that if Hugo doesn't start I'll be second guessing avb from now on. Our bench fills me with less confidence, Dempsey & sig out of form, so why not put in our young academy players who Are in form. We need every rough diamond we can at this stage. 3-1 spurs

I think a win is necessary otherwise we will be under pressure and confidence will not get any better. With Ade out and then off in January we are going to be light up top and unfortunately I can see Dempsey playing now which doesn't give me much confidence. So we need to get behind Defoe becuase we are going to need him to score.

My Line-up (4-3-3): Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen, Sigurdsson, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Defoe, Bale. Think AVB will start Gallas, Huddlestone and Dempsey instead of Dawson, Sigurdsson and Dembele, which will be sad to see ;( poor selections have cost us this season, like the games against norwich and wba and the first half vs qpr. Still behind him though, COYS!

Chrissybwoy, great article. What a great signing Vertongen was, he really deserves to wear the armband, what a great attitude. This is the kind of leader we need right now at Spurs to get us over this hump

Has to be 4-3-3, Bale-Defoe-Lennon. Sandro-Carroll-Siggurdson, maybe Dembele for Carroll later or to start if fit. And thfc1882whl got it spot on with the air game, Dawson has to play as does Lloris and if we get another Gallas-Friedel for this, questions will be raised big time.

Hugo Lloris has to start and should continue as our number one, walker, gallas most likely returning, like it or not his the captain, alongside caulker, vertonghen at lb. lennon, sandro, bale, we don't have anyone else who can do these jobs, if dembele is ok after the other night, then he has to start, our only outlet to controlling the midfield for us, dempsey? it's a hard call on him but you don't score the number of goals in the prem he has by being a bad player, maybe it's the slow build, the system, but he is a sound player, we have just not really got the best out of him yet, but with dembele back, he might start to click into place, defoe up top, if we could get back to moving the ball around quicker and attacking with purpose, we can win this game, we have to win it. Mike Bassett will look to lump it up to carroll and feed of second balls, mainly nolan gets on these. we need our 12th man tomorrow the home fans will be up for this one. COYS

Yep, West Ham is probably the 2nd most hated team next to the Arse, the Lane better be rocking for a change, especially after Big Sam claiming we struggle because no "Arry. And the silly spy suit. This is a grudge match that we must win.

We have been unlucky with the injuries. We could have been top 4 now if it wasn't for all the players missing. From the top 14 teams, only us and Fulham have lost 5 games so far, and from top 12 teams, we have the worst goal difference. Top 4 would be a miracle with all the competition there and Europa League will complicate things for us but I hope we can play some good football to enjoy and maybe try harder for a trophy this season.

Crissybwoy great link and I must say I fully agree with Verts. As far as I can see our squad doesn't look dispirited or down to me. They look full of fight, the only problem is scoring. Once that comes then we are in business. Don't care who it comes from but it will soon.

I know the following isn't Spurs related, but I'm sure there will be a number of fans that would find this interesting. In short, Pep wants to manage...... Brazil http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pep-guardiola-says-he-would-manage-1454281

We need to play Dembele, Carroll & Sandro. 4-4-1-1. With Sandro & Carroll in CM with Lennon & Bale on wins and Dembele behind Defoe. Our goal difference is negative, which truly reflects how we have been playing thisseason. Its been a start stop season. Every time we come back, there is something waiting around the corner with injuries or suspension. We were looking good after Villa win bu only stuck by blow of loosing Bale & Dembele. Now its Adebayor suspension. I am happy Caulker & Demeble are back, which means we have good solidity in he team. Caulker is by far the bet CB in the air (after Kaboul), so its important to get him back against Caroll.
My team :
Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Sandro, Caroll, Bale, Lennon, Dembele, Defoe.

Its going to be a very tough game today, Big Sam will press the backline trying to force the long ball and with Defoe up top I cant see us dominating possession, we will have to draw them in leaving space for Bale, Defoe, Lennon to attack. West Ham are going to come to us thinking they can take something from this game we will need everyone on top form.

For me, this high line we play just doesn't suit us. It compresses the play further up the pitch, therefore reducing the effectiveness of our fast counter attacks as there is less space for the likes of Bale and Lennon to take advantage of. It also offers the opposition plenty of room in behind us for a well placed long ball and watching West Ham last week, they looked comfortable playing that way (there's a surprise eh!).-------------Lloris-------------Walker---Caulker---Vertonghen---Naughton-------------Sandro----Carroll---------------Bale-----------------------Lennon--------------------Dembele--------------------------------------Defoe----------------------I would like to see this as our starting XI today, going to be a tough match, one which will go a long way to showing just how astute AVB really is. We all know how Alardice likes to play, so there will be no big surprises to contend with and man for man I believe we're stronger, it's just down to the manager to get the tactics right. Come on AVB, prove the doubters wrong and Levy may just have to support you, finally, come the January 31st transfer half hour. COYS

I like your line up thfc, Carroll will improve with games, I'v given up on Hudd, too slow. I am pretty sure Dempsey will be in as he adds a bit more phisicality (little else). I think AVB's hands are tied, specially up front. Levy shortchanged him in the summer, I hope he is working to rectify it in January but not holding my breath! COYS

actually think this will turn up to be 1 of the easy wins we seldom get.... Wet Spam will be reliant on longballs to Carroll and if we use Caulkler to mark him that sould give us plenty of possession.... easy 2 goal margin win today, 3 goal if we go for it more.